KnowResolve is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting mental health and preventing youth suicides through outreach, advocacy and education. Our mission is to break down the silence, shame, and stigma surrounding mental health by providing adults and teens with tools and skills to help improve their overall well-being.
19 years serving our community
More than 190,000 teens and families reached since 2007
All programs offered free of charge
84% of all funds raised go directly to programs (industry standard is 70%)
Board of Directors and Staff
Dennis Liegghio (Founder, President) - After losing his father to suicide as a teen, Dennis struggled with depression and thoughts of suicide for many years. A song that he wrote for his father was the turning point toward healing and the inspiration for founding KnowResolve in the Spring of 2007. Dennis maintains the website, designs the printed materials, coordinates fundraising and awareness events and speaks to an average of 12,000 teens and young adults each year about mental health and suicide prevention.
JoAnne Dennison - JoAnne is a licensed social worker (LMSW) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW) from Western Michigan University and a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from Wayne State University. JoAnne started her career in psychiatric hospitals for children and adolescents prior to working in schools. She has extensive experience providing individual and family counseling to children, adolescents, and adults with various emotional and behavioral issues. She also volunteers with the Give an Hour organization and the Michigan Emergency Preparedness and Response Division through Homeland Security.
Nicole McGlory (Board Secretary) - Nicole is a mother of 2 wonderful boys and a wife to a great man. She is also an elementary teacher who has a passion for learning and reading. Nicole first became interested in KnowResolve in 2007 after attending the Breaking the Silence dinner. From there, her passion grew for the organization. Nicole first got involved by joining the street team and then applying for a board seat several years later, and has been a part of since 2015. She takes pride in being a part of such a great and growing organization.
Nikki Mack (Treasurer) - Nikki is a numbers girl at heart and an accountant by trade at Financial Plus Credit Union and has been a board member since 2014. Her passion for suicide prevention and awareness became personal after losing a close friend to suicide in 2011. In addition to spreading the word in the community about our mission and activities, Nikki enjoys helping the organization keep a close eye on the financials and helps with organizing details and volunteers at our fundraising events.
Michael Kalmeta - Hailing from Marine City, Michael has recently retired from a career in sales and customer service with Prime Office Innovations and has been a supporter of KnowResolve’s mission from the beginning. When he was a teenager, one his friends took his own life and he struggled with the thought: “could I have helped somehow?” Michael has a passion for helping to educate, promote and support suicide prevention so that no one else will have to wonder, could I have helped?
Catherine Livingston - Catherine has her Master’s Degree from Oakland University in Counseling and a Bachelor Degree from Marygrove College in Childe Development with a Teaching Certificate. She has over 35 years of experience working with youth in the child welfare system and public education. Since 2000 she has been a high school counselor with Utica Community Schools and her passion is youth mental health and suicide prevention awareness. Catherine has been involved with KnowResolve since 2007 as her school was one of the first to have Dennis present. She established the first KnowResolve Student Club at Henry Ford II High School in the fall of 2014.
Lisa Shepard - Lisa has her Masters Degree in Counseling and a Wellness Counseling Certification from Oakland University. She was a School Counselor for 10 years and has been an associate of Wentworth and Associates since 2011, She works with children, adolescents, adults, families and couples. She is dedicated to helping individuals reach their full potential, health and wellness. Lisa became a member of the Board as a representative of Wentworth and Associates in 2016 because of her work with adolescent depression and experience in the aftermath of teen suicide as a school counselor.